Peak Oil News - Brazilian ethanol is sustainable and has a very positive energy balance

The International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Task 40, which analyses the international bioenergy and biofuels trade, recently published its long-awaited report on the sustainability of Brazilian ethanol. Its conclusions are that, in general, the production of sugarcane-based ethanol as it is currently practised in Brazil, is 'environmentally sustainable'. The study also concludes that the energy balance of Brazilian ethanol ranges between 8.3 (average) and 10.2 (best case). This is a very positive balance, compared to, for example, corn ethanol (which has an energy balance slightly higher than 1) or rapeseed biodiesel (slightly lower than 2).

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